Fare evaders attack woman on SEPTA bus in SW Philly, officials say

Police are searching for a woman who they say attacked another woman with a knife on a SEPTA bus back on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.

The Details

• By
• Aaron Baskerville and
• David Chang
• Published November 13, 2026
• Updated on
• November 13, 2026 at

Police are searching for a woman who they say attacked another woman with a knife on a SEPTA bus in Southwest Philadelphia.

The incident occurred on Monday, Nov. 9, at 11:30 a.m. Olivia Brooks told NBC10 she got on the bus at 62 nd Street and Buist Avenue. As she entered the bus, she noticed a man and woman who cut her off didn’t pay their fare. She then confronted them about it.

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“He said, ‘I’m gonna do something to you. I’m gonna do something to you.’ And he started choking me,” Brooks told NBC10. “And I thought, ‘I just gave birth to my son.’”

Brooks said the woman attacked her as well and was armed with a knife. Responding SEPTA police officers arrested the man at the scene but the woman who was armed with a knife ran away.

If you have any information on the woman’s identity or whereabouts, contact SEPTA Police at 215-580-4487 or [email protected].

Brooks suffered bumps and bruises during the incident but is otherwise OK.

During the 3 rd quarter of 2025, transit leaders said there were 65 aggravated assaults on SEPTA vehicles. So far in 2026, there are 42 total assaults, down 35% from the same time last year.

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